Ottawa Senators: Top 10 Prospects Entering 2018

9. Jacob Bernard-Docker, D [18] (1-26, 2018)

Stats (Okotoks Oilers, AJHL): 49 gp, 20 g, 21 a, 41 p, 7 PPG (7 A), 4 SHG (1 A), 2 GWG, .8 pts/g (15 pgp, 7 g, 7 a, 14 p, 3 PPG (3 A), 1 SHA, .9 pts/g).

One of the best offensive defensemen to pass through the AJHL, Jacob Bernard-Docker was a dominant goal scorer. 20 goals from a defenseman in any league is a rare feat, which might explain why Bernard-Docker was first amongst defensemen in the AJHL in goals and tied for 39th amongst all scorers. He scored seven goals on the power play and seven shorthanded. Two were game-winners. It shouldn’t be a surprise that Bernard-Docker dominated a lower-end CHL league, and AJHL pros are harder to come by than those from the OHL, WHL, or QMJHL.

One of the best offensive defensemen to pass through the AJHL, Jacob Bernard-Docker was a dominant goal scorer

Bernard-Docker was taken as a late-first round pick, though he was projected to be available later. He’s not been truly tested by players at his level yet, so take his AJHL numbers with a grain of salt. He will get that necessary test this season, joining Tychonick at the University of North Dakota. That will be a team to watch this season for the fans of the Ottawa Senators, maybe the team to watch.

Bernard-Docker will have a lot higher expectations moving forward than Tychonick. Without Karlsson, the Senators will need multiple franchise defensemen to replace what is one of, quite simply, the greatest defensemen. Bernard-Docker is expected to factor heavily into that, along with the likes of Chabot. Bernard-Docker will need to step up his game every season and get ready for the NHL soon.